Procrastination and Avoidance Are NOT the Best Routine

I met Donna Lott years ago when we attended the same church. Her website, www.DonnaLott.com says she is “insightfully, delightfully funny.” That was obvious from the first conversation I had with her. She is the epitome of Southern style and graciousness and I am honored to call her friend. One year, at the request of our pastor, we collaborated in writing a series of skits leading up to Easter. While she considers herself a speaker more than a writer, that collaboration revealed an ability and style that I admire and envy. That’s why I wanted to introduce her as my “Author Crush.”

          I am a Christian Speaker and Bible Teacher who has always dabbled with writing. In school, I enjoyed the rush of an A+ on anything I’d written. I remember pouring over the comments of beloved instructors. I cherished their red-lettered words and dreamily imagined becoming a professional writer someday. When I was in college, I wrote a monthly newsletter for a Christian organization on campus. Years later, I had a couple of articles published and then a children’s play and a worship sketch book. Still, I was a dabbler who never really developed a consistent writing routine.

          I didn’t need one until last year when audiences of women at retreats and special events began to ask me if my talks were available in written form. I was both humbled and shocked. Nonetheless, I began to think seriously about writing for publication. I knew right away that being a serious writer would require some real changes in my life.

          I wasted no time in setting up my writing space—a desk, computer, lots of pretty journals and notebooks. I even set a bouquet of sharpened pencils right beside my monitor. Never mind the fact that I never used pencils, I just thought they looked smart sitting there. These things done, I rolled an office chair my sons had given to me for Christmas into the room and viola! I was well on my way to becoming a real life writer.

          That night when I clicked the desk light off, I determined to get to the keyboard first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, when the alarm sounded, I guess I forgot to remember to write. I was headed to the office. Really, I was, when I got distracted with dirty laundry and housework. I’m sure the phone rang a few times, too. Then there was the cat to be fed, the dog to be walked and so the day passed without my sitting down to write. The story was the same day in and out for a couple of weeks. When I passed the office on my way to something else, I noticed the sharpened pencils looking smart and the swivel chair empty. I was becoming very good at forgetting my decision to do more than dabble with writing. I was a quick study of procrastination and avoidance.

          Still, my little inner voice reminded me that most writers write. That meant I should probably get some writing done every day. To do that would require time with my seat in the seat so I sat in the swivel chair. With some trepidation, I booted the computer. Then, I proceeded to stare at the blank screen which silently stared back at me. Suddenly, the speaker in me grew quiet. For the first time ever, I had nothing to say. I plucked a pencil from the bouquet and doodled in a pretty journal. I thought and thought. Still, nothing came to me.

          And so began my writing career. I typed a little here and there, but took many breaks to do other things I preferred like lunching with friends and shopping. I woke in the morning with every intention of getting pages and pages written, but routinely procrastinated and often avoided writing altogether.

          Things I’d never really enjoyed, like exercise and organizing closets became “have to’s.” Why was writing so hard, so tedious? Why did the computer screen seem like an enemy? And why did I suddenly prefer even exercise and organizing closets to writing? Oh, sure, I managed to write a little here and there, but what had I really accomplished in six months’ time?

          Looking back, I realize I’ve gone through a dramatic change since I started pulling my talks together in book form. While I’ve learned that procrastination and avoidance are not the best routine for an aspiring author, I have made progress. The book I’m writing is now half-finished. In addition, the exercise and housework have paid off, too. Not only have I lost almost twenty pounds, but I also have the cleanest closets in town. In the next few months I hope to finish writing my book. In the mean time, I’m thinking of taking up a new hobby – perhaps gardening.

          The moral of my story is: Take up writing if you really want to lose a few pounds or if you want the most organized closets in town!

Donna was propelled into the word of God when she was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that leads to blindness.  Now legally blind, she currently lives in Buford, Georgia, where she is building a speaking ministry. Since Light and Laughter Ministries was launched in 2005, Donna has been inspiring and entertaining audiences with her warmth, hope, and humor.  An insightfully delightfully funny gifted Christian Speaker and Bible study teacher, Donna is in her element when speaking at retreats, conferences, and women’s events. She artfully weaves life experiences and Bible truths into messages that encourage, enlighten, and entertain. A natural communicator, Donna is humor with a message personified. She accepts responsibility if your women walk away from a Light and Laughter ministry event having fallen totally in love with God and His word. She cannot, however, be held liable for injuries resulting from individuals falling out of their chairs laughing.